Allan M. Ohata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Allen M. Ohata
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Born | Honolulu, Hawaii |
September 13, 1918
Died | October 17, 1977 Honolulu, Hawaii |
(aged 59)
Place of burial |
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
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Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ |
United States Army |
Rank | Captain |
Unit | 100th Infantry Battalion |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Medal of Honor |
Allan Masaharu Ohata (September 13, 1918 – October 17, 1977) was a United States Army soldier. He is best known for receiving the Medal of Honor because of his actions in World War II.
Early life
Ohata was born in Hawaii to Japanese immigrant parents. He was a Nisei, which means that he was a second generation Japanese-American.
Soldier
One month before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Ohata joined the US Army in November 1941.
Ohata volunteered to be part of the all-Nisei 100th Infantry Battalion. which was mostly made up of Japanese Americans from Hawaii. He was originally awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. According to the story he shared with his brother, "[H]e held a hill by himself and a lot of people died except him. He said the enemy came from both sides, and [at] one point he came from one side and the enemy soldier came from the other end. The only reason he lived was because he saw the guy first."